News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

An application by Flix Cinema and Leisure Ltd. to develop a 10-screen cinema building with 1,918 seats, café and seating area at the Navan Retail Park on the Athboy Road was refused by the planning appeals board on Monday.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]
MONAGHAN

Conroy Gold and Natural Resources will look to joint venture options to fund mining of its County Monaghan gold discovery.

The explorer hopes to bring up over 15 million ounces of gold along a 30-mile trend stretching over counties Cavan, Monaghan and Armagh.

"We're probably looking to raise [$78 million] to mine the first 20 percent of Clontibret," said Chairman Richard Conroy. The Monaghan target would be the project's pilot mine.
[Source: Irish Independent]

OFFALY

Gardaí (police) have arrested four people outside Tullamore as part of an on-going operation into the activities of Dissident Republicans.

Members from the Special Detective Unit, supported by other National Units, arrested three males (20s and 30s) and one female (20s) at Rahan, County Offaly last Tuesday.

The four are currently detained at Tullamore (male and female) and Mullingar (two males) Garda Stations under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
[Source: Offaly Express]
ROSCOMMON

The Bishop of Elphin has voiced his concern over the future of Cloverhill N.S., situated just a few miles from Roscommon Town, appealing to the local community and parents to cooperate with the school to increase student numbers.

According to Bishop Christopher Jones, “the closing of a school can compare with switching off a powerful light in the community and of course once closed it is literally impossible to ever see it open again.”

Numbers in the school have dropped to below seven, the first time in its 125-years, and an urgent increase in numbers is needed in order for the school to stay open.
[Source: Roscommon Herald]
SLIGO

A doctor who said he did not think falsifying his patient’s test results was “a big deal” has given an undertaking at a Medical Council fitness-to-practice inquiry not to do it again.

Dr. John Stewart McKenna (28) from County Sligo, now a senior house officer at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, was working at St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire when the incident occurred.

Taking into account Dr. McKenna’s inexperience, his immediate admission of his actions and references from colleagues, the inquiry committee last Wednesday decided to make no findings of professional misconduct or poor professional performance against him.
[Source: Irish Times]
TIPPERARY

Hundreds of screaming schoolgirls greeted Una Healy on Friday, November 23, in the Presentation Secondary School’s assembly hall, as the Thurles singer/songwriter returned to her old Alma Mater as part of R.T.É.’s new series of “School around the Corner.”

A relaxed and tanned Una, straight back from L.A. where her band The Saturdays have just signed up with a new record label, gave tips on how to succeed in the tough world of show-business, and said she was inspired by her time at school to pursue her first love – music.

Principal Marie Collins said Una was just like any other girl, dressed in her wine uniform when she entered first year back in 1994. “She was bubbly, enthusiastic – everything a first year should be.” Una was involved in many extracurricular activities, and impressed at the County Tipperary Swimming Galas.
[Source: Tipperary Star]
TYRONE

Job-seekers in Coalisland and Dungannon are set to receive an early Christmas present with the news that an estimated 170 new jobs are being created in the two towns.

The Courier can confirm that 150 of the jobs have been earmarked for Coalisland's new Newell Stores Supermarket, while it is hoped a further 20 can be created at the Dungannon store.

The exact number of jobs on offer was not finalized until later last week, but a representative of Newell stores confirmed that these are the figures being looked at.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

A new website has been launched to promote “The Gathering” in Waterford, but also helps to stay in touch with the county’s diaspora beyond next year.

The famous holiday setting at Tramore beach was the venue for the unveiling of www.waterfordgathering.com, which is aimed at “creating a more lasting legacy” as a forum for communication with Waterford folk and their descendants worldwide, the organizers said.
[Source: Irish Times]
WESTMEATH

The cultural and arts scene in the Midlands was given a massive boost last Thursday when the launch of the $4.4 million Luan Gallery took place in Athlone.

Approximately 250 people attended the official opening of the facility by Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan.